Blog + Student engagement | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog+student-engagement
Indexen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Sun, 02 Aug 2015 23:20:21 GMT2015-08-02T23:20:21Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Is the National Student Survey fit for purpose?http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/aug/12/do-we-still-need-national-student-survey-university
As the NSS celebrates its 10th anniversary, three writers take a long hard look at its usefulness from their different perspectives<br /><br />• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/aug/12/students-report-record-levels-satisfaction-national-student-survey">Student satisfaction at 10-year high</a><p><em>The National Student Survey (NSS) is the main vehicle for student feedback in UK universities. It's sent to final-year students to gather views about what they think about the quality of their course and institution. The results are used to compile university league tables, which is a way of making institutions more accountable. </em></p><p><em>But the NSS has come under criticism from academics and students who feel that it doesn't truly tell us how engaged students feel. It has been </em><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/may/19/national-student-survey-university-guide" title=""><em>called &quot;bland&quot;</em></a><em>, &quot;methodologically worthless&quot; and a &quot;waste of government money&quot;. Some claim that universities have pressurised students into giving positive answers, while others say that the survey questions are too vague to elicit meaningful answers. </em></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/aug/12/do-we-still-need-national-student-survey-university">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkLearning and teachingStudent experienceStudent engagementResearchHigher educationUniversity teachingEducationStudentsTue, 12 Aug 2014 06:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/aug/12/do-we-still-need-national-student-survey-universityBradford University/PRNSS research shows that disabled students are less satisfied with their university experience. Photograph: Bradford UniversityBradford University/PRNSS research shows that disabled students are less satisfied with their university experience. Photograph: Bradford UniversityArti Agrawal, Nona Buckley-Irvine and Ellie Clewlow2014-08-12T06:30:00ZHigher education policy in the UK and Australia – who did what first? View our timeline to find outhttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/ng-interactive/2014/jul/09/higher-education-policy-in-the-uk-and-australia-who-did-what-first-view-our-timeline-to-find-out
<p>Australian and UK universities mimic each
other’s strategies when it comes to higher education funding and policy. Compare the key trends and developments since the late 1980s to see who’s leading the way<br><br>• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/quiz/2014/jul/09/willetts-pyne-higher-education-quiz">Quiz: how well do you know your higher education ministers?</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/ng-interactive/2014/jul/09/higher-education-policy-in-the-uk-and-australia-who-did-what-first-view-our-timeline-to-find-out">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkAustralia FortnightPolicyFundingFeesStudent engagementStudent experienceHigher educationEducationUniversity fundingWed, 09 Jul 2014 11:20:45 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/ng-interactive/2014/jul/09/higher-education-policy-in-the-uk-and-australia-who-did-what-first-view-our-timeline-to-find-outPhotograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesCompare changes made to higher education policy in both the UK and Australia. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesCompare changes made to higher education policy in both the UK and Australia. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesClaire Shaw2014-07-09T11:20:45ZMid-ranking universities will feel squeeze when student numbers cap endshttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/jul/03/end-cap-student-numbers-universities-feel-squeeze
Removal of the cap will unleash fierce competition – universities need to rethink how to market themselves to students<p>The surprise decision to <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-25236341" title="">remove the cap on the number of undergraduate students that universities may take</a> was one of many steps towards the marketisation of university taken by the coalition government.</p><p>Announced in the 2013 autumn statement, the policy will take effect in 2015. It was preceded by raising of tuition fees to &pound;9,000 in 2012 and the publication of the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/32409/11-944-higher-education-students-at-heart-of-system.pdf" title="">Students at the Heart of the System</a> white paper in 2011.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/jul/03/end-cap-student-numbers-universities-feel-squeeze">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkManagement and administrationPolicyRecruitment and HRCommunications and marketingStudent engagementStudent experienceHigher educationEducationThu, 03 Jul 2014 06:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/jul/03/end-cap-student-numbers-universities-feel-squeezeAndrew Cowie/AFP/Getty ImagesChancellor George Osborne announced uncapped student numbers in his 2013 Autumn Statement. Photograph: Andrew Cowie/AFP/Getty ImagesMartin Argles/GuardianStudents at the University of Birmingham, which is increasing its number of unconditional offers. Photograph: Martin Argles for the GuardianAndrew Cowie/AFP/Getty ImagesChancellor George Osborne announced uncapped student numbers in his 2013 Autumn Statement. Photograph: Andrew Cowie/AFP/Getty ImagesMartin Argles/GuardianBirmingham university students on campus: the best way to avoid money trouble is to draw up a budget – and tackle any financial issue head on. Photograph: Martin Argles for the GuardianWilliam Annandale2014-07-03T06:00:00ZBig data can transform learning – as long as lecturers take controlhttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/jun/03/big-data-transform-university-learning
The collection of data on a large scale has already revolutionised our experience of online shopping. Imagine what it can do for online learning<p>Big data has been eagerly embraced by the business world. Now it's time to look at how it can be used in education.</p><p>The term refers to the trails we leave behind every time we use a website. We're all familiar with sites such as Amazon suggesting that if we enjoyed one book, we might like another book on a similar topic. These recommendations are based on data collected from very large numbers of customers and as a rule work very well. It undoubtedly improves the shopping experience.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/jun/03/big-data-transform-university-learning">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkLearning and teachingTechnologyAcademicsInnovationStudent engagementHigher educationUniversity teachingEducationOnline learningTue, 03 Jun 2014 13:45:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/jun/03/big-data-transform-university-learningAlamyUntil recently, big data has not been used to improve the learning experience. Photograph: AlamyMarcus BrandtAnalysis of big data can provide valuable insights into how people learn. Photograph: Marcus BrandtAlamyUntil recently, big data has not been used to improve the learning experience. Photograph: AlamyMarcus BrandtOpen data and big data are trending. Photograph: Marcus BrandtDiana Laurillard2014-06-03T13:45:00ZStudents are grown-ups – their unions should stop treating them like childrenhttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/jun/02/nus-protect-students-not-encourage-freedom
The National Union of Students' patronising message is that students need looking after. Without official help, they might drink too much, get stressed and vote Ukip<br /><p>The National Union of Students (NUS), one-time purveyor of plastic beakers of cheap beer in sweat-soaked campus bars, is joining forces with the Home Office to pilot an <a href="http://www.nusconnect.org.uk/charity/alcohol-impact/" title="">Alcohol Impact</a> project. Eight universities have signed up to this scheme which aims to discourage binge drinking.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/jun/02/nus-protect-students-not-encourage-freedom">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkManagement and administrationStudent engagementStudent experienceHigher educationEducationStudentsMon, 02 Jun 2014 15:07:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/jun/02/nus-protect-students-not-encourage-freedomMarkus Schreiber/APStudents at the University of Leicester can pay £1 to pet a puppy to help them relieve stress. Photograph: Markus Schreiber/APMarkus Schreiber/AP'The idea of a puppy room on hand for stressful situations sounds Willy Wonka-like in its impossible perfection.' Photograph: Markus Schreiber/APJoanna Williams2014-06-02T15:07:49ZNo George Osborne! GIrls will not follow glamorous role models into sciencehttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/may/28/no-george-osborne-girls-will-not-follow-pretty-role-models-into-science
Using intimidatingly glamorous 'women in science' to attract girls into Stem subjects is misguided<p>Launching <a href="http://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/insight/2014/05/07/chancellor-launches-gender-agenda-at-science-museum/" title="">yet another campaign</a> earlier this month to attract more students into studying science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem), chancellor George Osborne said: &quot;Only two percent of girls are taking physics A-level. That is not good enough&quot;. </p><p>He went on to suggest that more female role models or television presenters might help address the situation.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/may/28/no-george-osborne-girls-will-not-follow-pretty-role-models-into-science">Continue reading...</a>Learning and teachingHigher Education NetworkScienceEngineering generalMathematicsWomenStudent engagementAcademicsEducationHigher educationStudentsWed, 28 May 2014 10:18:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/may/28/no-george-osborne-girls-will-not-follow-pretty-role-models-into-scienceEamonn Mccabe/Eamonn McCabeIs Countdown's Rachel Riley the best Stem role model for girls? Photograph: Eamonn MccabeEamonn Mccabe/Eamonn McCabeIs Countdown's Rachel Riley the best Stem role model for girls? Photograph: Eamonn MccabeJulia Percival2014-05-28T10:18:00ZAcademics Anonymous: so many PhD students, so few jobshttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/may/23/so-many-phd-students-so-few-jobs
Unis need to stop merely training academics and instead start providing some of the jobs they have trained them for<p>Arts and humanities departments across UK universities spend significant time and effort recruiting PhD students to study with them. </p><p>Yet concern for such students and their futures seems to start and end with getting them through the door and to the end of their programmes of study. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/may/23/so-many-phd-students-so-few-jobs">Continue reading...</a>Student experienceStudent engagementHigher Education NetworkAcademicsHigher educationEducationFri, 23 May 2014 09:12:58 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/may/23/so-many-phd-students-so-few-jobsTom Main/Tom MainUniversities are recruiting PhD students without ensuring there are enough entry level jobs for them Photograph: Tom MainAlamyUniversities are recruiting PhD students without ensuring there are enough entry-level jobs for them Photograph: AlamyTom Main/Tom MainUniversities are recruiting PhD students without ensuring there are enough entry level jobs for them Photograph: Tom MainAlamyUniversities are recruiting PhD students without ensuring there are enough entry level jobs for them Photograph: AlamyAnonymous academic2014-05-23T09:12:58ZSharp rise in students who think university is poor valuehttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/may/21/students-think-university-poor-value-for-money
Influential survey shows a third of students in England now think their university doesn't offer value for money<p><em>Nick Hillman, a former adviser to David Willetts and now director of the higher education thinktank Hepi, reveals the latest findings of Hepi's annual student survey.</em></p><p>The first batch of students to pay the full &pound;9,000 tuition fees in UK universities think they are getting poor value for money, a new survey has found.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/may/21/students-think-university-poor-value-for-money">Continue reading...</a>Learning and teachingHigher Education NetworkStudent experienceStudent engagementEducationHigher educationStudentsWed, 21 May 2014 10:04:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/may/21/students-think-university-poor-value-for-moneyAlamyThe research also found that students appear to work less hard than guidelines say they should. Photograph: AlamyAlamyBored students in a lecture. Photograph: AlamyNick Hillman2014-05-21T10:04:09ZHow do we recruit boys into female-dominated professions?http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/may/19/widening-participation-student-experience-award
While great efforts have been made to get girls interested in Stem subjects, little is done to encourage men into teaching and nursing<p>The lack of women choosing to study science subjects at university has sparked both angst and action. </p><p>Nearly 30 years ago the <a href="http://www.wisecampaign.org.uk/" title="">Wise Campaign</a> was set up to inspire more girls to pursue science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem). Now more than half of all higher education institutions involved in teaching these subjects are members of <a href="http://www.athenaswan.org.uk/" title="">Athena Swan</a>, founded to tackle the gender imbalance in science in universities. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/may/19/widening-participation-student-experience-award">Continue reading...</a>Learning and teachingWidening participationStudent experience awardStudent engagementHigher Education NetworkEducationHigher educationStudentsAccess to universityThe gender gapMon, 19 May 2014 09:37:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/may/19/widening-participation-student-experience-awardAlamyThe law prevents any favouring of men when it comes to recruitment. Photograph: AlamyAlamyThe law prevents any favouring of men when it comes to recruitment. Photograph: AlamyHarriet Swain2014-05-19T09:37:00ZInternational students are turning to proofreading agencies to get supporthttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/apr/09/international-students-proofreading-academic-writing-support
Proofreading agencies are filling an academic support gap in UK universities, raising concerns around policy and plagiarism <br /><br />• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/apr/03/academic-proofreading-write-essays-universities-students-ethics" title="">Ethics of ghostwriting: 'I was asked to write essays for students'</a><p>International students are paying for their work to be proofread, edited and, in some cases, written entirely, by professional writers and agencies, raising concerns around issues of support and plagiarism.</p><p>&quot;Most students who ask me for a quotation are from outside the UK and English is their second language,&quot; says Louise Harnby, who has been a professional proofreader since 2005. &quot;Many of them simply don't have the access to sufficient language-support services at their university.&quot;</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/apr/09/international-students-proofreading-academic-writing-support">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkLearning and teachingStudent engagementStudent experienceAcademicsHigher educationEducationStudentsStudent workWed, 09 Apr 2014 10:22:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/apr/09/international-students-proofreading-academic-writing-supportGreg Hinsdale/CorbisIt can be tough studying for a degree in a foreign language – so it is OK to seek external support? Photograph: Greg Hinsdale/CorbisGreg Hinsdale/CorbisYour laptop can take you a long way, from making friends before you arrive to using software to build a directory of articles. Photograph: Greg Hinsdale/CorbisClaire Shaw2014-04-09T10:22:00ZDrop in foreign student numbers: are UK universities too complacent?http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/apr/04/drop-oreign-student-numbers-uk-universities-too-complacent
Global competition for international students is growing – the UK needs to start treating them as people and learners, not numbers<p>For the first time in 29 years the number of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/apr/02/quarter-postgrad-student-english-universities-chinese" title="">international students enrolling in England's universities decreased</a>. In 2013, there was a<a href="http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/year/2014/201408a/name,86921,en.html" title=""> 50% drop</a> in the number of postgraduate students coming from India and Pakistan, and close to a 25% drop in the number of students who enrolled from the EU compared with last year.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/apr/04/drop-oreign-student-numbers-uk-universities-too-complacent">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkInternationalStudent experienceStudent engagementCommunications and marketingRecruitment and HRPolicyFeesFundingHigher educationEducationStudentsInternational studentsFri, 04 Apr 2014 11:34:53 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/apr/04/drop-oreign-student-numbers-uk-universities-too-complacentPatrick Hertzog/AFP/Getty ImagesIs it time for UK universities to promote a more holistic student experience? Photograph: Patrick Hertzog/AFP/Getty ImagesPatrick Hertzog/AFP/Getty ImagesFlags of countries competing in the 2010 FIFA football World CUP 2010 are displayed in a street downtown Knysna on June 6, 2010. Teams of France and Danemark will be based in Knysna during the FIFA World Cup starting on June 11, 2010. AFP PHOTO / PATRICK HERTZOG (Photo credit should read PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo Credit should Read /AFP/Getty Images)
HORIZONTAL Photograph: Patrick Hertzog/AFP/Getty ImagesCamille Kandiko Howson2014-04-04T11:34:53ZStudents are made to believe that 'university is all about them'http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/apr/01/labour-tuition-fees-university-students-quality-education
Student satisfaction does not say much about the quality of education, says <strong>Joanna Williams</strong>. Labour's manifesto needs to be more radical and push for intellectual challenge<br /><br /><p>It seems Ed Miliband is banking on a promised cut in university tuition fees to secure electoral success. Before we indulge in dewy-eyed nostalgia for the days before student loans, it's incumbent upon those who care about what happens in our universities to question the motives of the party that first introduced tuition fees, raised them to over &pound;3000 per year, and commissioned <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/31999/10-1208-securing-sustainable-higher-education-browne-report.pdf" title="">the Browne Review</a> that recommended the current &pound;9000 annual fee.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/apr/01/labour-tuition-fees-university-students-quality-education">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkPolicyFeesFundingStudent experienceStudent engagementHigher educationTuition feesStudentsEducationLabourPoliticsTue, 01 Apr 2014 10:35:41 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/apr/01/labour-tuition-fees-university-students-quality-educationImage Asset Management Ltd. / Al/AlamyIntellectual void: debates over funding take place in the absence of any discussion as to the purpose of a university. Photograph: Image Asset Management Ltd. / Al/AlamyImage Asset Management Ltd. / Al/AlamyThe bigger picture … Scharf explains how life depends on the black hole, shown here in a computer-generated image Photograph: Image Asset Management Ltd. / Al/AlamyJoanna Williams2014-04-01T10:35:41ZIs a co-operative university model a sustainable alternative?http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/mar/26/free-university-cooperative-model-sustainable-alternative
The new free university project is replicating a flawed university model, rather than radically transforming it, says Tom Sperlinger<p>A friend, who teaches English literature at a top UK university, recently met with a first-year student who was planning to drop out of his degree. He explained that he had not expected an English degree to involve reading books (and so many of them!), rather than the extracts he was used to at A-level. Having done a cost/benefit analysis, he also didn't think that the potential outcomes of his course were worth the amount of debt he would accumulate.</p><p>It is hard to argue with such logic. Indeed, many academics also fear that <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/10/english-education-market-ucl" title="">arts and humanities subjects are being devalued</a> and may survive only by leaving the academy. There has been new evidence for this over the past few weeks, with the launch of the IF project, a free university in London which aims to put &quot;a broad liberal arts education within reach of unemployed school-leavers and young workers&quot;. The project has largely been welcomed, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/mar/18/university-humanities-not-just-rich" title="">including by Peter Wilby</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/mar/26/free-university-cooperative-model-sustainable-alternative">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkLearning and teachingAcademicsStudent engagementStudent experienceHigher educationEducationStudentsLecturersTuition feesHumanitiesArts and humanitiesWed, 26 Mar 2014 11:35:53 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/mar/26/free-university-cooperative-model-sustainable-alternativeMartin Godwin for the GuardianTent City University offering free lectures to passersby during the Occupy London movement in 2011-12. Photograph: Martin Godwin for the GuardianMartin Godwin for the GuardianThe Bank of Ideas – the Occupy London educational establishment in a disused office block in the City of London. Photograph: Martin Godwin for the GuardianTom Sperlinger2014-03-26T11:35:53ZWelcome to the age of Martini marketing – any time, any place, anywherehttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/mar/21/martini-marketing-higher-education
University marketers have to develop digital campaigns that operate round-the-clock for students around the globe<p><strong><em>Emma Leech, head of marketing at Nottingham University, is taking part in a panel discussion in Leeds on Friday that will focus on research into how changing HE trends have affected the way marketing directors function. She reflects on the report's findings.<br /></em></strong><br />A new report into the effect of increased tuition fees on HE marketing makes interesting reading for those of us on the recruitment front line, as well as for academic leaders interested in understanding an increasingly volatile market.</p><p>The report, by Communications Management and Bournemouth University academic Dr Chris Chapleo, touches on everything from budgets to branding. But the most interesting, and potentially explosive, impacts are tucked away in the middle of the document.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/mar/21/martini-marketing-higher-education">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkCommunications and marketingStudent experienceRecruitment and HRStudent engagementTechnologySocial mediaHigher educationEducationFri, 21 Mar 2014 10:43:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/mar/21/martini-marketing-higher-educationKaren Moskowitz/Getty ImagesCelebrate the wonders of digital marketing. Photograph: Karen Moskowitz/Getty ImagesKaren Moskowitz/Getty ImagesYoung woman drinking martini Photograph: Karen Moskowitz/Getty ImagesEmma Leech2014-03-21T10:43:00ZHave traditional student recruitment campaigns lost their bite?http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/mar/10/university-student-recruitment-social-media-marketing
Universities are finding more creative ways to recruit students – through social media and digital campaigns, a survey finds<p>Universities are allocating more time and money to marketing open days, engaging with students on social media, improving their prospectuses and developing their university websites, a Guardian survey finds.</p><p>The Sixth Sense survey, which polled 69 UK university and further education marketing teams, set out to discover which strategies universities are investing in and which have fallen out of favour when it comes to recruiting sixth formers. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/mar/10/university-student-recruitment-social-media-marketing">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkCommunications and marketingRecruitment and HRStudent experienceStudent engagementTechnologyHigher educationEducationStudentsMon, 10 Mar 2014 17:05:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/mar/10/university-student-recruitment-social-media-marketingKeele University/PRUniversities are having to get more creative in how they recruit prospective students. Photograph: Keele UniversityKeele University/PRUniversities are going to great lengths to attract and recruit prospective students. Photograph: Keele UniversityClaire Shaw2014-03-10T17:05:00ZHow to recruit and attract savvy students – five tipshttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/feb/17/how-to-recruit-attract-university-students
Clever branding and cool apps can beat traditional marketing as universities compete to stand out from the crowd<p>The role of marketing in higher education has never been more important. In an era of higher fees, universities need to work even harder to differentiate their offering from that of their competitors.</p><p>Having worked as an advertising executive in the private sector, the idea of creating something that stands out from the crowd is instinctive for me. But moving into higher education, I saw the sector had been slower in realising the potential impact creative marketing can have on student recruitment.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/feb/17/how-to-recruit-attract-university-students">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkCommunications and marketingRecruitment and HRAdmissionsStudent engagementStudent experienceMarketisationEducationHigher educationStudentsMarketing & PRMon, 17 Feb 2014 13:37:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/feb/17/how-to-recruit-attract-university-studentsAlamyUniversities love prospectuses - but would a quirky app do a better job? Photograph: AlamyAlamyUniversities love prospectuses - but would a quirky app do a better job? Photograph: AlamySimon Pride2014-02-17T13:37:00ZTeaching religion: my students are trying to run my coursehttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/feb/08/academics-anonymous-teaching-religion-student-experience
Evangelical students cannot tolerate diversity of opinion and resist secular critiques of their views. My job is no longer the joy it once was<p>I'm a senior academic in a religion department at a Russell Group university. Before you ask, no, we're not training would-be vicars. And no, we're not in the business of promoting particular faiths. </p><p>In fact, I'm an atheist (always have been), and my motivating &quot;belief&quot; as an academic is that the secular study of religions is a crucial activity in any university. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/feb/08/academics-anonymous-teaching-religion-student-experience">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkLearning and teachingAcademicsStudent engagementStudent experienceHigher educationEducationUniversity teachingLecturersReligious studies and theologySat, 08 Feb 2014 10:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/feb/08/academics-anonymous-teaching-religion-student-experienceGetty Images/The Bridgeman Art LAdam and Eve, by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1526): my students take a literal approach to religious teachings. Photograph: Getty ImagesGetty Images/The Bridgeman Art LAdam and Eve, by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1526): Milton pondered the Creation from her perspective. Photograph: Getty Images/The Bridgeman Art LAnonymous academic2014-02-08T10:00:00ZPericles Lewis: a humanities education produces truly creative leadershttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2014/feb/04/pericles-lewis-yale-nus-research-humanities
The US economy is built on the imagination and innovation of humanties graduates, argues the president of Yale-NUS College in Singapore<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2013/dec/02/university-forum-2014-programme" title="">Lewis is speaking at this month's Guardian University Forum</a><p><em>Pericles Lewis is president of Yale-NUS College in Singapore – a collegiate liberal arts college set up by Yale University and the National University of Singapore. Largely funded by the Singaporean government, it opened its doors in July 2013 to its first cohort of 150 high-achieving undergraduate students, recruited from some 25 different countries – including Wales. </em></p><p><em>Lewis taught English and comparative literature at Yale University for 14 years and designed the humanities curriculum at Yale-NUS. He tells me why canny employers see the value of humanities graduates.</em></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2014/feb/04/pericles-lewis-yale-nus-research-humanities">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkInternationalResearchAcademicsStudent engagementStudent experienceFundraisingFundingFeesHigher educationEducationUniversity teachingLecturersTue, 04 Feb 2014 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2014/feb/04/pericles-lewis-yale-nus-research-humanitiesSamuel He/Yale-NUS CollegePericles Lewis. Yale-NUS College president Photograph: Samuel He/Yale-NUS CollegeSamuel He/Yale-NUS CollegePericles Lewis. Yale-NUS College president Photograph: Samuel He/Yale-NUS CollegeInterview by Claire Shaw2014-02-04T07:00:00ZSyria crisis: should universities help?http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/jan/31/syria-crisis-should-universities-help
Vice-chancellor <strong>Nick Petford</strong> writes from the Kurdistan camp where refugees have lost an education as well as their homes<p>As dusk approaches the temperature fall is dramatic. The small groups of residents still outside turn their backs on the cold and return home. Except of course they don't. Home is not here, among the muddy UNHCR-branded tents and water trucks but somewhere all together more hostile. There are now more than 250,000 Syrian refugees in the Kurdistan region of Northern Iraq, itself no stranger to suffering. Remember Saddam Hussein's chemical warfare against the inhabitants of Halajba? They were Kurds, the same people now offering sanctuary to their desperate neighbours.</p><p>I am here to see for myself how my university can help. We have some experience already. Staff from the education department have begun work with UK partners and a Kurdish charity to establish a school in the Domiz refugee camp on the border with Syria. The team sent out resources and trained teachers as part of an ongoing project. A welcome effort but because of its small scale – confined to a single camp – it barely scratches the surface.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/jan/31/syria-crisis-should-universities-help">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkInternationalAcademicsLeadershipPartnershipsStudent engagementHigher educationUniversity administrationEducationSyriaRefugeesWorld newsMiddle East and North AfricaFri, 31 Jan 2014 12:58:44 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/jan/31/syria-crisis-should-universities-helpNick PetfordThe edge of the Kawergosk refugee camp in Kurdistan. Photograph: Nick PetfordNick PetfordThe edge of the Kawergos refugee camp in Kurdistan. Photograph: Nick PetfordNick Petford2014-01-31T12:58:44ZGrade inflation? Maybe students are just working harderhttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/jan/22/student-grade-inflation-working-hard
The argument that universities are dishonestly manipulating student grades is both lazy and ill-informed, says <strong>Martin Hall </strong><p>Statistics recently released across all British universities show that, over the past decade, the proportion of students gaining a <a href="http://www.hesa.ac.uk/content/view/3103/" title="">first class degree has nearly doubled</a>, from <a href="http://www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=931&amp;Itemid=161" title="">11% in 2003-4</a> to 19% in 2012-13. The proportion of students attaining a 2.1 has also increased. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-25811702" title="">Research at Lancaster University's School of Management</a> argues that this simply reflects the rising quality of A-level students. Others have suggested that this may be evidence of &quot;dishonesty&quot;, as universities chase league table recognition. Who is right?</p><p>The dishonesty argument hinges on university autonomy; a university that has degree awarding powers sets its own standards and could, in theory, manipulate them. In practice, though, there is a long-developed system of checks and balances that set levels of parity across broad networks of universities.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/jan/22/student-grade-inflation-working-hard">Continue reading...</a>Higher Education NetworkLearning and teachingStudent engagementStudent experienceEmployabilityAcademicsAdmissionsHigher educationEducationStudentsUniversity teachingLecturersWed, 22 Jan 2014 11:19:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/jan/22/student-grade-inflation-working-hardJamie Squire/Getty ImagesAre students working much harder to get to the best results? Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesJamie Squire/Getty ImagesReaching the finish line Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesMartin Hall2014-01-22T11:19:08Z